President's Day Weather: Freezing Rain, Flash Flooding

MILWAUKEE, WI — According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain and possible flooding across southern Wisconsin could happen during Monday through Tuesday night. If flooding does occur, it would persist through much of the week ahead.

The NWS says there is increasing concern that the period Monday through Tuesday night could result in parts of south-central and southeast Wisconsin seeing flooding as a result of repeated rounds of rain.

According to the NWS, a weather front will bring rain and freezing rain into the area and stall, with the potential for multiple rounds of moderate to possibly heavy rainfall.

Weather experts said that the area has an existing icy snowpack with a high moisture content and deeply-frozen terrain. Meteorologists predict that 1 to 2 inches of rain falling on these surface conditions is an ideal setup for efficient and rapid water runoff that could cause smaller rivers and streams to reach flood stage.

Fast Facts:

What: Flood Watch for portions of south central Wisconsin and southeast Wisconsin, including the following areas, in south-central Wisconsin, Dane, Green, and Rock. In southeast Wisconsin, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, and Waukesha.

Timing: From Monday evening through late Tuesday night.

Precipitation: Repeated round of moderate to heavy rainfall during the watch period, up to 1 to 2 inches.

Hazards: Small rivers and streams will rise quickly. Some urban and lowland flooding is possible.

Image Via Shutterstock.com